John 16:8-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 16:7-15

As it was usual with the Old Testament prophets to comfort the church in its calamities with the promise of the Messiah (Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:6; Zech. 3:8); so, the Messiah being come, the promise of the Spirit was the great cordial, and is still. Three things we have here concerning the Comforter's coming:-- I. That Christ's departure was absolutely necessary to the Comforter's coming, John 16:7. The disciples were so loth to believe this that Christ saw cause to assert it with a more than... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 16:5-11

16:5-11 "I did not tell you these things at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going away to him who sent me, and none of you asks me: 'Where are you going?' But grief has filled your hearts because I have spoken these things to you. But it is the truth I am telling you--it is to your interest that I should go away, for If I do not go away the Helper will not come to you. But when he has come, he will convict the world of sin, and convince it of righteousness and judgment;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:8

And when he is come ,.... The coming of the Spirit here, chiefly designs his descent upon the apostles, at the day of "Pentecost": as the things ascribed to him, and which were then done by him, clearly show; though it may also include his coming along with, and by the ministration of the Gospel, into the hearts of his people at conversion, in all after ages of time: he will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment : by "the world" is principally meant, the Jews; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:9

Of sin, because they believe not on me. The "sin" here primarily intended, is that of the Jews, in disbelieving, rejecting, and crucifying Christ; and which the Spirit of God, by Peter, charged upon them on the day of "Pentecost", and fully proved against them; gave such clear evidence, and wrought such strong convictions of in their minds and consciences, that being pricked to the heart, they cried out, "what shall we do?" Acts 2:23 ; though as this passage may be applied to the ordinary... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:8

He will reprove - Ελεγξει , He will demonstrate these matters so clearly as to leave no doubt on the minds of those who are simple of heart; and so fully as to confound and shut the mouths of those who are gainsayers. See Acts 2:1 , etc. The world - The Jewish nation first, and afterwards the Gentile world; for his influences shall not be confined to one people, place, or time. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:9

Of sin - Of the sin of the Jews in not receiving me as the Messiah, though my mission was accredited by the very miracles which the prophets foretold: see Isaiah 35:3-6 . This was literally fulfilled on the day of pentecost, when the Spirit was given; for multitudes of Jews were then convinced of this sin, and converted to God. See Acts 2:37 . If we take this prediction of our Lord in a more general sense, then we may consider that it is one of the grand offices of the Holy Spirit to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:8

Verse 8 8.And when he is come. Passing by the diversity of expositions, which we have received in consequence of the obscurity of the passage, I shall only state what appears to me to be in accordance with Christ’s true meaning. He had promised his Spirit to the disciples; and now he praises the excellence of the gift from its effect, because this Spirit will not only guide, support, and protect them in private, but will extend more widely his power and efficacy. He will convince the world;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:9

Verse 9 9.Of sin. It now remains that we see what it is to convince of sin Christ appears to make unbelief the only cause of sin, and this is tortured by commentators in various ways; but, as I have already said, I do not intend to detail the opinions which have been held and advanced. First, it ought to be observed, that the judgment of the Spirit commences with the demonstration of sin; for the commencement of spiritual instruction is, that men born in sin have nothing in them but what leads... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:5-11

The rectory of the disciples. Jesus now describes the power which will gain their victory over the world. I. THE POWER WHICH WILL GIVE THE VICTORY . 1. The disciples were too absorbed by the sorrows of the approaching separation to think of anything but themselves . "But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? Bat because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart." 2. The expediency of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:7-11

(a) The threefold conviction of the world . The extraordinary fullness of suggestion in the following words, and the strong opinions entertained by different theological schools, render interpretation a difficult task. read more

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